Radiator cap



For

Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RADIATOR CAP.

Application filed March 3, 1924. Serial N0. 696,644.

My invention relates to caps for automobile radiators and the like, and my improvements consist in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and delined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a radiator cap embodying the novel and essential features of my invention;

Figure 2, a top plan view showing the hinged cover in open position; and

Figure 3, a transverse'section taken centrally through the cap.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be observed that my improved cap consists essentially of a substantially cylindrical hollow body portion open at its top and bottom, a cover 11 for the top thereof1 and latch means 12 to secure said cover in closer position.

EXteriorly, body portion 10 may be of any desired design, but preferably it is slightly tapered at its upper and lower ends as at 13 and 14, respectively, and provided, between said tapered portions, with flattened sides 15, while from diametrically opposite points thereon ornamental arms 16 and 17 extend therefrom and terminate in knobs 18 and 19.

In producing body portion 10 it is bored or otherwise formed so that its inner face is eccentric to its outer face whereby its wall is of greater thickness at one side (the rear of the cap) than at the other (the front of the cap) and in addition an annular shoulder or retaining flange 20 for a gasket 21 is provided interiorly thereof near its upper end, while its lower end is screw threaded either interiorly or eXteriorly as requirements demand whereby it may be engaged with the threaded filling opening of a radiator.

Formed on the upper end of body portion 10 at the rear or thickest portion thereof is a pair of apertured lugs 22 between which is fitted a lug 23 depending from cover 11, and engaged through said lugs is a pintle 24 serving to hingedly connect said cover with said body portion.

A latch member 25 is intermediately pivoted as at 26 to cover 11 at a point on the latter diametrically opposite to its hinged connection with body portion 10, and on said latch member is formed a hook 27 for engagement with a keeper on said body portion 1n the form of an inherently resilient wire or bail 28 the ends of which are secured to the bodyA portion at somewhat widely separated points whereby its intermediate portion may flex upwardly to permit engagement of hook 27 therewith and whereby 1t will then act through its inherent resilien cy to maintain a downward pressure on said hook and thus hold the latch against accidental release.

On the under face of cover 11 is formed an annular rib 29 that engages gasket 2l when the cover is closed to maintain a seal preventing leakage of water or steam between the cover and body portion, and threaded in the body portion isa set screw 30 arranged to engage the threaded flange at the filling opening of a radiator therebv to lock the cap thereon as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. Also as shown in said figure, set screw 30 is of less length than the threaded opening within which it is engaged, so that when the cap is locked on a radiator, said threaded opening may be plugged with solder or other suitable material thereby to conceal the set screw and thus prevent surreptitious removal of the cap.

When the latch is engaged with keeper 28 all that is necessary is to pull outward on the latch at its lower end to effect its release from the keeper, the latter, because of its inherent resiliency springing upward under the force thus imparted to the latch to permit disengagement of the hook 27. By then swinging the latch on its intermediate pivot 26 until its upper end contacts with the upper face of the top said latch serves as a handle for swinging the cover 11 open and as is apparent the cover is limited to its opening movement due to engagement of lug 23 with the body portion 10. Furthermore, by forming the inner and outer faces of the wall of the body portion relatively eccentrically, the material of said body portion is distributed to best resist the strains to which it is subjected when the cover is swung to and from closed position.

Centrally of the cover is an opening 3l whereby an ornament or motor meter may be attached thereto.

I claim:

The combination with a body member and a hinged cover therefor, of a latch oarried by said Cover for engagementv with a keeper carried by said body membersaidkeeper consisting of an inherently resilient member' Secured at its ends to said body 10 member at relatively widely separated points whereby the intermediate portion O Said keeper may flex for the purpose set forth In testimony whereof I hereunto afx in) signature.

WILLIAM H. BILLINGSLEY. 

